The Kwara State Rapid Response Team (RRT) has debunked rumours circulating on social media alleging deaths from Lassa fever at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in the state.
The clarification followed an immediate investigation led by the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Kamaldeen Khadeejah, after a social media post on Sunday, February 8, 2026, claiming that corps member had died from suspected Lassa fever at the camp.
Findings from the field investigation and retrospective active case search revealed that no case of Lassa fever was identified among corps members and camp Officials.
Dr. Kamaldeen emphasized that though the current public health risk is considered low, stressing that the state had intensified surveillance at the camp to ensure early detection and prompt response to any suspected illness.
As part of precautionary measures, the team lead, explained that the RRT conducted supportive supervision at the camp clinic, reinforced infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, and sensitized health workers and corps members on Lassa fever symptoms, early reporting, and prevention strategies
She therefore urged members of the public to disregard unverified social media reports, remain calm, and rely on information from official government sources.
The NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Olaoluwa Onifade, confirmed that the corps member referenced in the social media post was ill and diagnosed of a pre-existing chronic illness while the camp management invited her parent which took her out to an external health facility on February 1, 2026, where the individual was later reportedly died on February 7, 2026.
According to him, "No laboratory confirmation of Lassa fever has been reported to the RRT as of the time of the investigation.
“And the investigation found no evidence of Lassa fever transmission within the NYSC camp. There are no clusters of febrile illness or symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever among corps members,” Onifade explained.
An Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Adamu Kabiru, had also in his remarks, recommended strengthening sanitation and rodent control measures as he stressed the importance of proper environmental sanitation, provision of sanitary dustbins, and discouraging bush burning around residential areas.
Also, the State Health Promotion Officer, Mr. Jubril Abdul Kareem, educated corps members on the symptoms of Lassa fever, which include; body pain, headache, restlessness, diarrhoea, vomiting, and sore throat.
He highlighted preventive measures such as; avoiding contact with rats, refraining from eating food or fruits contaminated by rodents, blocking holes in homes,
and storing food in covered containers.
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